Vacancies

Join a therapeutic childcare team that puts relationships and professional growth at the heart of everything we do.

Support Worker – Specialist Children's Home (Ofsted)

Location: Preston

Pay Rate: £13.50 – £14.00 per hour + paid sleep-ins

Hours: Full-time, Permanent (Up to 40 hours per week, including day shifts, weekends, and sleep-ins)

At Embrace Care, we know that working in children's residential care is about so much more than supervising routines. It's about being a stable, reassuring anchor in a child's life, helping young people who have experienced trauma, distress, or disadvantage feel safe, understood, and capable of a brighter future.

Whether you're brand new to residential childcare or bringing previous experience, we provide the initial coaching, continuous therapeutic guidance, and supportive team culture to help you thrive from day one.

The Reality of the Role

We believe in total honesty: specialist children's residential care is deeply rewarding, but it comes with real emotional and behavioural complexities. The children and young people we support in Preston may have Autism, Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, Learning Disabilities (LD) or Emotional or Behavioural Difficulties (EBD).

This isn't just supervising a house; you will be part of a dedicated, therapeutic home environment. We need individuals who are emotionally resilient, patient, and open-minded — people who are ready to learn trauma-informed care, understand sensory processing needs, and support children through high-stress moments with empathy, structure, and calm composure.

Why You'll Love Growing Your Career with Us

If you want a role that offers true job security, dedicated therapeutic support, and clear room to progress, Embrace Care is built for you.

• Dedicated Support: Our homes benefit from experienced Registered Managers, Deputy Managers, Team leaders and dedicated therapeutic leads
• Supported Qualifications & Progression: We actively invest in your future by supporting your Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare and providing clear pathways to progress into Team Leader, Deputy, and Registered Manager roles
• Focus on Relationships: We give you the time, stability, and space to build meaningful, trusting connections with young people, helping them navigate education, hobbies, and independent living skills

What You'll Be Doing

• Creating a Safe, Nurturing Home: Supporting children with daily routines, meal preparation, school attendance, hobbies, and building essential life skills
• Delivering Trauma-Informed Care: Following individual care plans, risk assessments, and therapeutic strategies to help children process emotions and manage distress safely
• Building Trust & Boundaries: Developing positive, professional relationships with young people while maintaining consistent, healthy boundaries
• Maintaining Safeguarding & Governance: Keeping clear, objective daily records, attending team debriefs, and upholding high safeguarding standards under Ofsted regulations

Requirements

• Experience in residential childcare, youth work, SEN support or other child based professions is essential 
• Experience supporting children or young people experiencing SEMH, autism, LD or emotional and behavioural difficulties
• Flexibility to work a shift pattern including evenings, weekends, and sleep-ins
• A UK driving licence is desirable

Benefits

• Pay: £13.50 – £14.00 per hour + paid sleep-ins
• Health & Wellbeing: Medicash healthcare plan covering dental, optical, physiotherapy, and mental health support
• Time Off & Discounts: 28 days' annual leave (pro rata) plus 20% off at our Chester and Preston hotels
• Training & Development: Paid induction, supported Level 3 Diploma, and continuous professional development
• Perks & Loyalty: £1,000 Refer-a-Colleague bonus, loyalty bonuses up to £10,000 over 10 years, and free on-site parking

Ready to Make a Genuine Difference in a Young Person's Life

If you're looking for a stable, supportive team where your empathy is valued and your career can grow, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply through Indeed to submit your application and start a conversation with us.

Please note: Embrace Care is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Appointment is subject to an enhanced DBS check with Children's Barred List check, satisfactory references, and safer recruitment checks in line with Ofsted requirements.

Contact information

Elaine Wilcock